Welcome to the Writers CAFE, the place for:

• C – conversation
• A – answers
• F – friends and fun
• E – engagement

If you missed one of our dynamic sessions, watch the replay here. Maybe you want a second helping because the meeting was so good. No problem. All Writers CAFE sessions are recorded and posted here. Click on the desired week/topic and hit play. Bring your own beverage (BYOB). Enjoy!

Upcoming topics:

• 10.11.22 – Practice Feedback Session
  • Book question:
    • Based on the covers, front/back matter, and what you’ve read so far, what do you think this book might teach you?
• 10.25.22 – Blogging with Orah, Julie, and Rose Couse
  • Book question:
    • Identify one line or phrase-not two sentences or a paragraph–only one line you like in Dispatches from Pluto. Why do you like this line? How can it influence your writing?
• 11.8.22 –  Metaphors with Millie
  • Book question:
    • Identify metaphors and similes you’ve read so far in Dispatches from Pluto, and pick one to share with us. How can you use Grant’s example to write a simile or metaphor in one of your stories?
• 11.22.22 – Writing Tips, Tricks, Hacks, Tools, and Such
  • Book question:
    • What characters stand out to you in Dispatches from Pluto? How does Grant make them real? What does he do to make them believable? Be specific and point out examples.
  • Discussion topic: What works for you?
    • What helps you write? Do you have things you do to help you create or edit your work? Do you use technology to help with your writing? Have your established effective habits or rituals you can share with us?
• 12.13.22 – Share Something You Created
  • Book discussion:
    • While Richard Grant is masterful at creating vivid characters in Dispatches from Pluto, he’s equally accomplished at bringing the physical Mississippi Delta to life on the page. This is what we call setting. Pick out a passage or two where you find Grant does a great job of describing the setting.
  • Discussion topic:
    • Writers are incredibly creative people and not just when it come to writing. Share with us something you created, built, painted, accomplished, something that you brought into existence.
• 12.27.22 – Publishing Stories Online – Etya Krichmar
  • Book discussion:
    • In long-form memoir, readers expect to see the author change, grow, learn, expand, etc., in one or more ways. This is called a character arc. How have you seen Richard Grant change from his first visit to Pluto to how he is near the end of the book? Can you point to examples in the book?
• 1.24.23 – Fall Session Recap and Review

If you have a topic you’d like discussed at our Writers CAFE, submit your idea here.